Table construction



filly 28, 1931. s. BLICKMAN ET AL 1,816,247

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct, 27, 1930 2648/ ATTORNEY Patented July 28, 1931 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE 'SAUL BLIGKMAN AND MANUEL 'BLICKMAN, or NEW Yonx, N. Y., Assmnons 'rjos. BLIGKMAN, 1nd, or WEEHAWKEN, NEW'J'ERSEY, A CORPORATION or new Yonx TABLE CONSTRUCTION Application filed October 27, 1930. Serial No. 491,603.

Our invention relates to table structures and especially to those of a class designed for use in schools or other institutions, in which the table is usually of'a length to accommm date several persons and may have at its forward side a corresponding number of seats for occupants ofthe next forward table. The invention relates particularly to the top structure of the table and still more particularly to the structure of a flange or stop rail which extends along the forward edge of the table top and projects upwardly therefrom.

The table top proper is of sheet metal with or without a coating of vitreous enamel; and the invention provides simple and economical means for associating the forward upturned margin of the sheet metal top with a frame plate or rail, and for convering and conceal ing in an attractive or decorative manner, edges of the various parts which would other wise be exposed and present an unfinished appearance.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufliciently explained in connection with the following detail description of the accompanying drawings, which show a representative embodiment. After considering this example, skilled perso sons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed, and I contemplate the employment of any structures that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one end portion of a table structure, embodying the invention in one form.

Fig. 2 is an upper end elevation, enlarged.

Fig. 3 is a section at 33, Fig. 1, on the same scale as Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section at t4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an end cap or finishing piece.

The table top structure is supported by uprights or legs 1 (only one of which is shown) and between these extend horizontal bars 2, 3, to support and locate foldable seats t which are not further described, since they do not in themselves constitute a part of the present invention.

The table top proper 5 is of sheet metal of moderate but substantial thickness, and may have any suitable surface finish including vitreous enamel (not shown). It is supported by various longitudinal and. trans verse frame members connected to the legs or uprights 1, including a front longitudinal angle bar 6. At the forward edge and at the ends the top sheet 5 is turned down to form a flange 7 which overlies end supporting bars; and diagonal braces such as 8 may be pro vided tosupport the forward portion of the top or frame.

At the rear longitudinal edge of the top structure is a flat bar or plate 9 of substantial thickness, constituting'aframepiece or body for the upwardly extending ledge or stop rail at the rear of the table. This is secured in place as by bolts 10 passingthrough it and the vertical flange of the frame bar 6.

The top plate 5 has its rearward portion turned up'providing a vertical maginal portion 11 overlying the forward vertical face of the frame plate 9. The margin I 11 is joined to the main portion of the plate 5 by a bend or fillet 12 of substantial radius to provide an attractive finish and permit easy cleaning.

To coverv the outward face of the frame plate 9, and longitudinal'upper edges of it and of the top plate portion 11, and provide an attractive appearance or finish, a strip 13 of a suitable, relatively thin sheet metal,

which has an attractive finish, such for example as Alleghan'y or M'onel metal, is bent to provide portions 14 overlying the upper edges of the frame piece 9 and of plate portion 11, and is then bent downward at the forward face of the stop flange structure, providing a portion 15 with a flattened raised or bead efiect. The under portion of the strip 13 is also bent under the lower edge of the frame plate 9 and clamped between that plate and the vertical flange of the frame bar 6 As so far described, the end edges of plate portion 11, frame plate 9 and strip 13 will be exposed andpresent an unsightly appearance. To cover these edges and provide an attractive finish I provide end caps or fittings 16, only one of which is shown. These caps are identical except that they are of symmetrically reversed form; that is, they are made in rights and lefts, corresponding to their positions in relation to the other table parts at its opposite ends. Each end fitting is in the form substantially of a hollow or box structure with walls of substantial thickness, this thickness being somewhat exaggerated in the drawings for illustrative clearness. Each of the fittings has a rear wall 17, end wall 18, and projecting therefrom inwardly at the inner face, a front wall or flange 19, and as clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, these formations of the end fitting are adapted to overlie and conceal the end edge portions of the various members 9, 13, 14, 15 and 11. The upper portion 20 of the forward flange or wall of the fitting is shaped to accommodate the projecting or bead formation 15 of the finishing sheet 13.

The end fitting is secured in place by providing in the lower portions of its walls 17 and 18, holes 21 to receive bolts or rivets connecting it to the legs one or other frame parts; for example, bolt 10 above referred to may also be used to hold the end piece in position, while another bolt or rivet may be passed through the end hole 21 and an underlying frame part.

We claim:

1. A table top structure comprising a rear longitudinal frame bar, a longitudinal frame plate of substantial thickness secured thereto and projecting upward, forming a body part of a rear stop flange structure, a table top plate having a portion resting on said frame bar and having its forward margin turned up and located against the rear face of the frame plate, and a finishing sheet overlying the forward face of the frame plate and upper edges of the frame plate and top plate and also having a portion overlying the upward margin of the latter.

2. A table top structure comprising a rear longitudinal frame bar, a longitudinal frame plate of substantial thickness secured thereto and projecting upward, forming a body part of a rear stop flange structure, a table top plate having a portion resting on said frame bar and having its forward margin turned up and located against the rear face of the frame plate, and a finishing sheet overlying the forward face of the frame plate and upper edges of the frame plate and top plate and also having a portion overlying the upward margin of the latter, said portion projecting outwardly to provide a flattened bead formation.

3. A table top structure comprising a rear longitudinal frame bar, a longitudinal frame plate of substantial thickness secured thereto and projecting upward, forming a body part of a rear stop flange structure, a table top plate having a portion resting on said frame bar and having its forward margin turned up and located against the rear face of the frame plate, and a finishing sheet overlying the forward face of the frame plate and upper edges of the frame plate and top plate and also having a portion overlying the upward mar gin of the latter, the lower portion of the finishing sheet being secured between the lower portion of the frame plate and the frame bar.

at. The structure defined in claim 1, with the addition of end finishing caps of generally box form overlying end edges of the frame plate, finishing sheet and top plate.

5. The structure defined in claim 1, with the addition of end finishing caps of generally box form overlying end edges of the frame plate, finishing sheet and top plate, and secured to the top frame structure.

Signed at lVeehawken in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey this Qth day of October A. D. 1930.

SAUL BLIGKMAN. MANUEL BLICKMAN. 

